Darren Lehmann confident of turning around Australia's fortunes in the subcontinent

Australia’s head coach is confident that the team’s youngsters will achieve success in Sri Lanka

Australia head coach Darren Lehman is confident that his side his side can overturn their poor record in the Indian subcontinent starting with the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka. The 46-year-old, who will return to his role after skipping the recent tri-series in the West Indies which Australia won be defeating the hosts in the final, is hopeful that the current crop of Australian youngsters can put to good use the experience which they will gain from the island nation.

"I think we have a good mix and a young group. If they have success now, that stamps you in good stead when you are going on the tours in the future," Lehmann told Fairfax. "Apart from (Adam) Voges, you have a core group there, the top six, apart from Voges, who probably could be around for five, six years.

“If they have success now, that stands them in good stead for India, Pakistan, UAE, all that coming up. We just have to adjust better," Lehmann said.

Australia has already arrived in Sri Lanka, more than two weeks before the first Test which begins on July 26, and the former Australian cricketer believes such a preparation is vital to get acclimatised to the hugely varying conditions in this part of the world.

"We think we have done that by going a bit earlier, having an extra trial game if you like, and spending a bit more time in the country before we hit the road. I think that's the thing about the subcontinent. You can't have a certain way, everyone is different,” he said.

"You have to be able to chop and change and oscillate between gears and sometimes you just have to hold and stay in and take the ones, and sometimes it's tough and you have to take the game on,” he added.

David Warner raring to go against Sri Lanka

Australian vice-captain David Warner, who had to unfortunately, return home midway through the tri-series in the West Indies after picking up an injury, said that he was confident that he can continue his fine run of form that had helped his IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad achieve their maiden IPL success in June.

Though not fully fit yet, Warner said that a lack of match practice was not going to a factor in deciding his form.

"I've done that before where I've picked up the bat and gone back out there and tried to play my best and sometimes it comes off," Warner said in Sydney on Friday. "I always want time in the nets, (but) I've said in the past for me less is more. I prefer to go into a lot of games fresh, I don't usually hit a lot before heading into any series of games.

“I'll definitely look to have a hit when I get to Sri Lanka after the intra-squad game and test to see if I'll be all right for the first-class game."

An Engineer by education, Sports has been my true passion all along. Football, Cricket, and Tennis are what I follow the most.
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